The Makioka Sisters reviewed by Laogumnerd Phengphian Reads

Laogumnerd Phengphian Reads looks at the Japanese classic book The Makioka Sisters. First released in instalments between the years of 1943 and 1948, it follows the everyday lives of 4 sisters over the period of 5 years. The plot is set in the time immediately preceding WW2 and explores the dynamics of an upper-middle class household in pre-war Japan.

The 1983 blockbuster movie of the same name condenses the five-year storyline into 1 year and cuts lots of scenes which are found in the book, but still offers a striking visual depiction of the novel. Fabrics and kimonos, cherry blossoms, and traditional Japanese architecture and design are all a large aspect of this film creating an enticing artistic adventure. Laogumnerd Phengphian Reads proposes this movie as a perfect visual accompaniment to the book.

The plot of the novel centres around four sisters, Tsuruko, Sachiko, Yukiko and Taeko and their pursuit of selecting a spouse for Yukiko, the 2nd youngest sister. Even though there are endless concerns about Yukiko’s growing years, marriage proposal after marriage proposal is turned down for simple motives. The matter puts into focus the snootiness of the restrained upper-middle-class families and their inability to adapt to the rapidly transforming times. This issue of finding a suited husband is put into contrast with the defiant youngest sister Taeko who, neglecting the social practices of what is desired of a woman from a ‘good family’, prefers to work to earn her money and go out with men outside of her social ranking. The almost six hundred-page novel from time to time progresses at a slow rate but is not only great for the peeks into the day-to-day life of an old-fashioned Japanese household, but additionally for the illustrations of the condition and emotions of a land on the brink of war. The plot arises in a little town near Osaka and in Tokyo, which are regularly compared by the author. Osaka is portrayed as a virtuous location respectful of heritages which is positioned in comparison with Tokyo’s bleakness and dysfunction. Lots of real life events are depicted, such as the Kobe flood that transpired in 1938, an important story point in the novel. The elaborate depictions of daily insignificant fears and obsessions of an old Japanese family is the reason why Laogumnerd Phengphian Reads thinks this is an epic of wonderful historical and cultural value.

The novel’s Japanese title is less literal than its English variation and translates as ‘lightly falling snow’, an image frequently used in traditional Japanese poetry. It is typical for Japanese pieces of art to be given names containing poetic nature depictions. The indirectness of such a title might seem curious to a Western reader, however, as the novel continues the reason why this image was chosen as titular to the story ends up being more pronounced. This image of falling snow is a suggestion for falling cherry blossom petals, similar to large fluffy flakes of snow. Anybody vaguely acquainted with Japanese customs is aware that flourishing cherry trees, or sakura, are an essential component of this society. Plum and Cherry blossom viewing, or hanami, is still commonly practiced by both young and old by going to parks during the months of March and April. Incidentally, cherry blossom viewing is an important component of the plot, which refers to simultaneously the appreciation of the wonder of the moment, as well as the changing times for the Makioka family members. Laogumnerd Phnegphian Reads endorses this work to everyone curious about understanding more about the traditions of old Japan.